Category Archives: Privacy

Caught off guard

Posted on October 8, 2025 by Marty Ryan

In 1997, when I was lobbying for the Iowa Civil Liberties Union (the forerunner to the ACLU of Iowa), a bill was introduced in the Iowa House of Representatives that would have allowed school officials to randomly conduct searches of … Continue reading →

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Hear No Evil, See No Evil, Read No Evil

Posted on November 4, 2021 by Marty Ryan

Censorship: “the suppression or prohibition of any parts of books, films, news, etc. that are considered obscene, politically unacceptable, or a threat to security.” What is so attractive about shutting down the ability of another to read, see, or hear … Continue reading →

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Pissed Off

Posted on July 5, 2021 by Marty Ryan

A private sector employee from Iowa goes across the border on a Friday after work to Illinois and his friends ask if he wants a hit off a blunt.  He takes a hit and thinks nothing of it.  Recreational use … Continue reading →

Posted in Fairness, Medical Cannabis, Privacy, Substance Abuse and Alcoholism/War on Drugs | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Flaws in the Laws: Part I – Employment Drug Testing

Posted on February 20, 2019 by Marty Ryan

Prior to 1987, there was no law that regulated drug testing of employees or applicants for employment in Iowa.  Employers were free to test an employee, or an applicant for employment, for any drug or substance with impunity.  Since 1987, … Continue reading →

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A Horrible Decision

Posted on June 5, 2013 by Marty Ryan

On Monday, the Court said it was constitutionally okay to take a sample of “skin cells”. They might just as well take an arm or a leg, your heart, your brain, or your medical records. Continue reading →

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No Slam Dunk

Posted on April 9, 2012 by Marty Ryan

Last September I wrote that the United States Supreme Court was about to hear oral arguments in a case called Florence v. Board of Chosen Freeholders.  As you’ll recall, this is what I had to say about it: Albert Florence … Continue reading →

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